Red Routes to be made permanent in Luton town centre and Airport Way

Airport Way and parts of the town centre were chosen to test the system, which is enforced by CCTV and street patrols.

Vehicles are forbidden to park or wait along roads selected for the project, which are marked by double or single red lines.

The restrictions operate 24 hours a day where there are double red lines, while the enforcement period is on a nearby sign for a single red line.

The Airport Way route runs between Vauxhall Way and Percival Way.

The town centre restrictions cover part of New Bedford Road, Gordon Street, Upper George Street, Wellington Street and Alma Link, as well as parts of Inkerman Street and Dunstable Road.

One objection was received to making the Airport Way red route permanent, according to a report to the borough council’s executive.

And ten were submitted for the town centre scheme, “mainly concerning the ability to make deliveries in the area”, said the report.

“Monitoring of the red routes included a perception survey with bus companies, parking services and residents.”

The introduction of delivery bays in the town centre has improved the situation there, added the report.

An experimental traffic regulation order for these two schemes was extended in August.

As with yellow lines, red route restrictions also apply to the verge and footway.

Labour South councillor Paul Castleman reminded the committee that modifications were made to the town centre red route orders last summer.

“There were more than 6,500 penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued for the town centre area,” he said.

“This also shows a downward trend where we’re not getting so many offenders which shows it’s working.

“At Airport Way, drivers did not appear to realise the restrictions apply to the verge and footway, as well as the road.

“To make it clearer, temporary posters were displayed and barriers put up for the worst affected areas.

“This has resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of PCNs for this area,” added councillor Castleman, who’s the executive member for planning and transport.

“It appears the red routes have been successful on the whole, and it’s recommended the objections are overruled and the experimental traffic regulation orders are made permanent.”

Labour Lewsey councillor Aslam Khan said: “You can certainly see the impact of the red routes when you look at Wellington Street and some of the other town centre areas where there has been enforcement.

“You can clearly see the difference in how it’s having a positive impact over parking, accessibility and traffic flow.”

The executive agreed to the traffic orders being made permanent at a cost of around £1,000.